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A photograph of a Kaali pooja and Chandi homa in a temple hall. On a raised stage, several women in saffron-orange and red garments sit in front of a large deity murti of Kaali, blue-skinned with a golden crown, flanked by red and gold draped backdrops, potted plants and tall lamps. A white brick-like altar stands before the murti, with brass vessels, kalasha and flower offerings arranged on the platform. Below, rows of brass plates and bowls of food offerings are set out on the floor, with men in white shirts and white dhotis seated in the foreground facing the stage. A floor fan stands at the left edge.

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A night ritual in a hall with blue walls and red curtains. On a raised dais in the background, a golden murti of a goddess with multiple arms stands before a shrine of flowers, garlands and lamps. Several priests in saffron-orange robes and rudraksha malas perform rites at the platform and by a brick fire pit. In the foreground, many seated devotees in white dhotis and shirts face the shrine, with silver plates and bowls of offerings, fruit and sweets arranged in rows before them. A ceiling fan and a hanging string of lamps are visible. The scene suggests a kali puja with a homa.2006-10-21A dimly lit night ritual at a temple shrine where a blue-skinned deity murti stands in a decorated alcove framed by dark draped cloth and a tiered brass lamp stand. Before it, a square ring of white bricks holds a fire pit with flames, surrounded by brass pots, bowls of fruit and flower offerings laid on steps. Several priests in saffron and orange robes sit on a raised platform performing the rite, one in red with garlands. In the foreground, around a dozen devotees in white clothes sit cross-legged on the floor facing the shrine, a silver-gold ritual vessel sits in front of them, and small oil lamps flicker on the ground. This appears to be a homa fire ritual with offerings, and the flames are visible but no face of any individual is identified.2006-10-21A ritual gathering at an indoor temple hall during a Kaali pooja and homa. On a raised red platform, several men in saffron and orange robes sit cross-legged before a deity murti of Kaali, decorated with flowers and garlands, behind a small fire and a row of white brick. Behind the platform hangs a large banner portrait of a smiling man in a white turban and golden robe, which is a depiction. In the foreground, devotees in white dhotis and shirts sit facing the altar among rows of steel bowls filled with offerings and prasad. Two fans and a pair of brass lamps stand at the sides.2006-10-21A photograph of a Kaali pooja and homa held in an indoor hall with blue and red walls and dark drapes. A large deity murti of Mother Kaali, painted blue-skinned with a gold crown and garlands, stands on a decorated altar framed by green and red cloth and hanging flower strings. On a raised platform, several priests in saffron-orange robes sit before the altar, one holding a ceremonial vessel. In the foreground, a row of people in white clothing sit on the floor before rows of brass plates and bowls of food offerings arranged on the ground. A standing fan is at the left and a brick fire pit occupies the centre of the platform.2006-10-21A Kali pooja at a temple shrine with a blue-skinned deity murti of Mother Kali, adorned with gold ornaments and a gold crown, set against a backdrop of palm fronds and flowers. Several priests in saffron-orange robes sit in front of a white stepped altar, with a microphone among them; one holds a plate of offerings. Silver pots, a silver bowl with flowers, and a tall brass lamp stand near the shrine, and smoke rises from the ritual fire. In the foreground, rows of metal bowls hold rice, grains, bananas, sweet potatoes and other food offerings, as prasad for the homa and pooja.2006-10-21A photograph of a Kali puja and homa in a decorated hall. A man with long dark hair, wearing a red robe and a yellow-orange garland, sits on a raised wooden seat at the left of a white brick fire altar. Several young men in saffron-orange robes sit around the altar, one holding a metal vessel. Behind them, a blue-skinned Kali murti wears a gold crown and gold garments, with a peacock-feather fan and marigold garlands. Brass lamp stands with yellow flowers line the right side, and metal bowls of offerings sit in the foreground. A ceiling fan and a hanging brass lamp appear at left.2006-10-21Night ritual photograph in a dimly lit hall before a large golden-crowned blue-skinned deity murti of Mother Kaali, adorned with gold-and-red garments, standing on a red and gold base amid marigolds, green foliage and potted plants. Tall brass lamp stands with lit oil lamps flank the shrine, and a white brick-built altar sits in front. Four men in saffron-orange robes and rudraksha malas sit cross-legged, performing a Kaali pooja with brass vessels, flower garlands and trays of offerings. A rolled-up fan and a microphone are visible at the side.2006-10-21A photograph of a homa ritual in a temple hall. A man with long dark hair and a red robe, adorned with a gold chain and beaded necklace, sits at a white brick fire altar with a flame burning in front of him. Around him, several men in saffron-orange robes sit in ceremonial positions, one wearing white and red tilak markings. To the right stands a large blue-skinned deity murti of Mother Kaali with a golden crown, holding objects in multiple hands, adorned with flowers and garlands. Brass lamp stands with flowers hang on the right, and steel bowls of offerings and palm fronds sit in the foreground, while a few devotees are partly visible at the bottom edge.2006-10-21A night puja before a large murti of Mother Kaali, shown with blue skin, golden crown and gold-embroidered garments, her multiple arms raised. Four young men in saffron-orange robes and rudraksha malas sit cross-legged on the floor before a white brick homa pit, with brass vessels, plates of offerings and a silver pot in front. Tiered brass oil lamps burn on the right beside draped red and dark cloth, potted plants and green leaves decorate the altar. Several small brass dishes with orange offerings are set in a row at the front. No one is identifiable as a person with confidence; the seated figures are priests or devotees.2006-10-21Dim evening photograph of a Kaali pooja and homa at an indoor shrine. A large deity murti of Mother Kaali with blue skin, gold ornaments and a raised arm stands at the centre, framed by draped silver-gold cloth, red drapes, plantain-style green foliage and a tall brass lamp stand. In front, a row of white-robed devotees sits with their backs to the camera, while several priests in orange and red robes sit around a low platform with a fire pit of lit flames and a white-stacked offering structure. Brass bowls, plates, a kalasha-like vessel and flower garlands line the platform. A fan stands at the left.2006-10-21A night ritual at a shrine decorated with gold and red draped fabric and hanging garlands. A large blue-skinned deity murti of Kali stands at the centre, holding a sword and a red flower, wearing a gold crown and golden adornments, with fresh green foliage and potted plants around her. In front of the deity a square fire pit of white bricks burns with bright flames. Four people sit cross-legged around it: on the left, a person in orange robes and a woman in red sari-style dress hold an offering; on the right, two young men in orange robes with rudraksha malas sit near metal vessels. Brass bowls filled with food and offerings line the foreground, and a tiered brass oil lamp stands at the right. This is a homa/puja scene in a Kali worship setting.2006-10-21Night-time Kaali pooja and homa at an ashram hall. A blue-skinned deity murti of Kaali, adorned with gold ornaments and a gilded crown, stands above a golden altar draped in red and bronze fabric, flanked by tall brass lamps and potted plants. In front, a brick-lined fire pit blazes with a tall flame, and several priests in saffron-orange robes sit cross-legged around it. A woman in a red sari sits on the left, touching the fire area with a ladle or offering. Rows of brass bowls holding food offerings and flower garlands fill the foreground, and a silver kalasha stands on the right. Some priests wear rudraksha malas.2006-10-21